Preity Zinta's survival tips

She's no star kid.

She had no 'godfather'.

But she had talent -- and determination.

Today, Preity Zinta easily ranks among Bollywood's top actors. She can boast of films with the best banners and the most sought-after directors.

Take a look at some of her forthcoming releases -- Yash Raj Films (Salaam Namaste), Karan Johar's Dharma Productions (Kabhie Alvida Na Kehna), Sajid Nadiadwala (Jaaneman) and Rakesh Roshan (Krrish), to name a few.

Preity is known to be a thorough professional, besides being fearlessly independent-minded.

She shares with Get Ahead readers what she has learnt about life as a single woman, about managing her career, money and love life.

Read on...

On living single

Mumbai is relatively safe.

But when you come home late at night and it's raining and you get stuck somewhere, no one is going to help you.

No one will come from home and check on you.

I fell very sick after the Mumbai floods and I thought I was going to die. There was no one there to take care of me. No mom at home.

But there are benefits too. I like to be independent.

Sexual harrassment at work? Stop it now

If women who play with their sexuality at work get harassed, they deserve it.

You can't tempt and then be prudish. That's wrong. To use your sexuality as a weapon at work is wrong.

Beyond that, if you're sexually harassed, your integrity should be more important than the situation you're in.

How do you deal with it?

Well, the first time it's better if you are not aggressive. Just firmly tell the person to back off. Sometimes actions speak louder than words, so you can get your message across in a different way.

If the person is really persistent, then one tight slap really helps! But it is better if no one sees it because when people get really mean when they are publicly humiliated.

Mantras for success

There are no success mantras and no shortcuts to success. One has to work hard.

The only success mantra I can think of is -- be a nice person.

When you are nice to people, they will always wish you well. And you never know whose wishes may touch you, and things may really happen for you.

You have to be sincere and persistent. Even if you fail, you can still succeed.

Love and relationships

I am not a relationship guru, but I think you should just be yourself.

If you act and try to be someone else, one day you'll get tired.

I also believe that whatever happens, happens for the best.

Manage your money

Always save -- that's very important. Make a rule to save 'X' percent of your income.

The rest -- blow it up!

You must save a higher percent of your income but you must pamper yourself too. Live for today as well. Buy lovely things, get a pedicure, etc.

Otherwise, what are you working for at the end of the day?

I am not a finance specialist -- I sit with my battery of bankers, lawyers, CA and manager to do my finances because I don't want to cross the law.

I think real estate is the best investment.

Besides this, if you are relatively intelligent, check the market stocks and shares.

More important, make sure you have a few bonds and fixed deposits in your name.